NASHONEWS

Feature Stories: Navy Ensign Laid Up at Wacol p1Editorial p3Double Nasho Trouble p5

Issue No 89 April 2008

NASHONEWS

NATIONAL SERVICEMEN�S ASSOCIATION OF AUST (QLD) INC.

NATIONAL SERVICEMEN’S ASSOC(QUEENSLAND) INC. NEWSLETTERPUBLICATION No. P.P. 444963/000003P.O. BOX 7014 HOLLAND PARK EASTQLD, 4121

SURFACEMAIL

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AUSTRALIA

Printed by Monoset Printers & Typesetters Phone 3205 4277 Fax 3881 1826

The Cadet Guard of Honour from Training Ship Ipswich presents arms to salute VIPs at the Laying Up ofthe Naval Ensign at the Wacol Chapel on 17 February.

DirectoryState Management

CommitteePatron:Major-General Kevin Cooke AO

President:Colin Bell 3285 4232

3889 1993 Fax

Vice-President:Alex Garlin 5571 0745

5630 1233

Secretary:John Brosnan 5428 2627

5428 2324 Fax

Treasurer:Warren Hegarty 4779 5590

4725 2272 Fax

Acting Merchandise Manager:Tony Stevenson 3397 7512

Committee Members:Allen Callaghan 3396 3369Alex Nunn 5499 2810Evan Edwards 3396 4349Noel Findlay 3398 5515John Hardy 4091 9309Warren Hegarty 4779 5590Len Matthews 3205 8674Bill Morriss 4632 2850Bruce Reedman 3488 0557Tony Stevenson 3397 7512Media Officer/Editor Nasho News:Allen Callaghan 3396 3369

3396 5460 Fax0409 219 058

allgwen@powerup.com.au

Membership Officer:Ray Lower 5447 6691Chaplain:

Head Office & Membership Inquiries:National Servicemen’s HallEric Sivell Park, 171 Boundary Road, Camp Hill, Brisbane 4152

Phone: 3324 1277Fax: 3324 2777

Office Hours: 9:00am to 1:00pmMonday, Friday

All Correspondence to:P.O. Box 7014 Holland Park East Qld 4121Email officeadmin@nashoqld.org.auWeb www.nashoqld.org.au

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERThe material contained in this publication is in the nature of general comment only, and neither purports, nor is intended, to be advice on anyparticular matter. Readers should not act or rely upon any matter or information contained or implied by this publication, without takingappropriate professional advice which relates specifically to their particular circumstances. The publishers and authors expressly disclaim alland any liability to any person whether an Association member or not, who acts or fails to act as a consequence of reliance upon the wholeor part of the publication. Views expressed in any Editorial may not necessarily be those views held by the Management Committee.

Official NSAAMerchandise

OFFICIAL NSAA MERCHANDISE Beret $26.50Beret Badge – Pewter $5.50Beret Badge – Silver Six Sided Logo $20Book – 20 Year History of the NSAA 1987 to 2007 $25Caps Embroidered with Nasho Logo $17.50Coffee Cup with Nasho Logo $ 9.00Cards – Get Well or Sympathy – Nasho (pack of 10 + envelopes) $7.50Flag – Association Logo White Full Size (6'x3') $180Flag – Association Logo White small size (hand waver) $12.50Lapel Badge – Association Blue $5.50Lapel Badge – Navy, Army or Air Force $6.50Lapel Badge – Tri-service $6.50Medals Full Size Unmounted Swing CourtADM $18 $22.50 $27.50ANSM $18 $22.50 $27.50Duo ADM+ANSM $36 $45 $55Association $26 $31 $36Miniatures Unmounted Swing CourtADM $12 $16.50 $21ANSM $12 $16.50 $21Duo $24 $33 $42Association $16 $20.50 $25Medal Ribbon bar with ADM+ANSM medal ribbons $12Necktie with Nasho Logo $33.50Nasho Pocket Patch – Bullion Thread – Red $36Nasho Pocket Patch – Queensland Red Logo $ 9Nasho Port $13.50Number plate covers ‘I Am a Nasho’ $22Shirts – Chambray short or long sleeves S M L XL XXL

(add $3 for XXXL size) $36Shirts – Polo White or Maroon S M L XL XXL (add $3 for XXXL size) $31Stubby Holder with Nasho Logo $5.50Video – 50 year anniversary celebrations $15Video – Last March Out at Wacol $15Wall Plaque – 6 sided Nasho Logo on Timber $42.50Pay by Credit Card – add $1.00

NASHO NOTICEBOARDGot a reunion planned? Looking for an old

Nasho mate? Want to get information on

anything? This is your page . . .

Front CoverWarrant Officer Bob Callaghan, a

Vietnam Veteran, who joined the RoyalAustralian Navy in 1959, points out tohis great-niece, Eilish Callaghan, 11,

the features of the Navy Ensign underwhich he served until the RAN

adopted its own Ensign in 1967.

NATIONAL ART UNIONGet your tickets back now

to be in the National ArtUnion. Prizes total $20,000

and the draw is on Anzac Day 25 April.

WANTED: 1 Gosford tour shirt, L or XLblue if possible. Warren 0419 709 981

Reserve Forces Day is Sunday 29 June.Assemble 0930hrs step off 1000hrs cnr

Adelaide, Creek and Wharf Streets.

Indigenous NashoThe other Nasho helping round up

cattle in the photo with John Green inthe Army Field Butchering Unit at

Churchill is Louis Daylight, of Ipswich.

Anzac Day Friday 25 April There will be a Dawn Service at the National Servicemen’s RSL Sub-Branch Memorial

at Norman Park, followed by a Gunfire Breakfast at the adjacent Bookmakers’ Cluband the drawing of the National Art Union.The assembly point for the Anzac Day

march in the City will be in Charlotte Street. Look for the red banner. Step off time willbe about 11a.m.If you need to ride in a jeep ring State HQ now on 3324 1277.

No booking, no jeep.

As the cigarette smoker’s song says,Smoke Gets In Your Eyes. And in yourlungs too.. The song may end, but the

malady lingers on.

State Conference Hervey Bay12 – 14September 2008 12th Meet and Greet13th Delegates’ and General Meeting

and the Conference dinner. 14th Marchand Service Tour Fraser Island. Forfull details and booking form see the

Brochure in this issue.

LIKE TO VISIT THE NATIONAL SERVICE HERITAGE PRECINCT AT WACOL?

Branches and individuals are welcome. Just write to the Wacol Management CommitteeSecretary, Allen Callaghan, at P.O. Box 7014 Holland Park East 4121 or ring on 07 33963369The Chapel is available for church services and picnics and barbecues can be held in thegrounds. There’s a cleaning fee of $50 for the Chapel and don’t forget the donation boxat the door.

NASHO BUSHBASHING AT BEAUDESERTThe 2008 Nasho Reunion is on at Beaudesert on May 2,3,4 and 5.

On Friday, we will gather at the Beaudesert Showground for a traditional bush dinner of corned beef,white sauce and spuds followed by trifle served with bush poetry and yarns.

Saturday will be a visit to the Army Land Warfare Centre at Canungra – well known to many Nashos– to visit the Intelligence Museum. There’ll be a light picnic lunch followed Saturday night by a spit

roast dinner at the Showground with community singing and bush style dancing.Sunday will be a parade through Beaudesert to the Cenotaph in Brisbane Street, followed by a

barbecue lunch. The Australian Army Band will provide you with a free concert.On Monday, there will be a farewell tag along tour of the beautiful Kerry Valley with billy tea and

damper morning tea.It will be a great long weekend so don’t miss out. Registration with pre-payment is compulsory and

closes on Friday 18 April at State Headquarters.

NAVAL ENSIGN LAID UP AT WACOL

The armed Naval escort presents the Navy Ensign for Laying Up in the Chapel.

Tradition in the Services teaches loyalty, honour and sacrifice, Australia’s former Governor General, theHonourable Bill Hayden AC, told the audience at a solemn Naval ceremony at the Wacol Chapel.Mr.Hayden, a Naval National Servicemenin the first intake at HMAS Flinders in1951, said his training had stood him ingood stead as a police officer and laterLeader of the ALP Opposition in FederalParliament.He was speaking to a packed Chapel withguests overflowing into a marquee outsideat the National Service Heritage Precincton Sunday, 17 February. An armed Naval escort had marched in theRoyal Navy Ensign under which mostAustralian Navy personnel, includingNational Servicemen, had served prior tothe RAN adopting its own Ensign in 1967.The hand-made silk Ensign with goldfringes is a gift of Navy Nashos.

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Also due to the absence of Brigadier Neil Weekes and John Caligari, President Colin presented ADMedals to two members and two widows. We had a previous Sausage Sizzle at Bunnings on 9thDecember which raised $1,500. Overall donations of $3,000 have been made to the Wacol HeritageAccount. The Burdekin Sub-branch held their AGM on Sunday 2nd March. Some 28 books were laid atour Memorial on Nasho Day and these will be donated to local schools in Townsville and Thuringowa.On a sadder note, I have to advise the passing of Lyn Weekes beloved wife of our Patron Brigadier NeilWeekes AM MC (Ret’d). Our next function will be St. Patrick’s Day Dinner to be held at the CutheringaBowls Club on 17th March. Volunteers are required to help out with selling of ANZAC Day Badges inthe lead up to ANZAC Day. Don’t forget our 70th Birthday Party coming on Saturday, 10th May.

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LAST POST1/714168 Burow Neville Wacol 3rd Intake 19541/706306 Giuffrida Giovanni Wacol 1st Intake 19531/700718 Hopkins Raymond Robert Wacol 1st Intake 19511/715600 McKenzie Graham Duncan Wacol 1st Intake 19551/704540 Mewett Athol John Wacol 3rd Intake 19521/720546 Rutherford David James John Wacol 1st Intake 1956A26119 Shepherd Tom RSTT Wagga Wagga 1st Intake 1951

THEY SERVED AUSTRALIA

The State Emergency Fund was activated during the floods at Mackay, Townsville, Cairns and Emerald.Branch Emergency Liasion Officers were asked if any Nashos needed help. None did, but it gave the Fund a good trial. Assistance would have been in kind, as during Cyclone Larry when portable generators were supplied.

The Naval Officer Commanding South East Queensland, Commander Forbes Peters ADC RAN,representing the Chief of Navy, is invited by the Guard Commander, ANCMIDSHIPMAN RebeccaRogers, to inspect the Cadets from TS Ipswich. Queensland Vice-President, Alex Garlin, a Navy NationalServiceman, watches.

Permission to lay up the former Ensign had to be given by the First Sea Lord of the Royal Navy and thenpermission was given by the RAN’s Chief of Navy, Vice-Admiral Russ Shalders, for the armed escort to paradein what now is a foreign flag.

The old ensign has the red cross of St.George on a white background. The current RAN Ensign has theFederation Star and the Southern Cross in blue on a white background.

Both flags were present at Wacol on the day – the current ensign was flown on the Precinct flagpole.

The Navy Band provided the musicfor the march-in and the traditionalNaval hymn, Eternal Father Strongto Save. The service was conductedby RAN Chaplain, the Rev. BurtJohns. The bible readings by currentand former Navy personnel were onthe theme of courage and sacrifice.

The Guard of Honour from TSIpswich waits to salute the NavalOfficer Commanding South-EastQueensland. Commander ForbesPeters and Mr.Hayden.

The Naval Ensign joins the RAAFEnsign already hanging in theChapel.

The Australian flag, of which the Army is the guardian, will be paraded in next year. It will be blessed and thenhung in the Chapel. It cannot be laid up because, unlike the Navy and RAAF Ensigns used during NationalService, it is still in service.

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TABLELANDS (Meeting: 2ndSunday each month 1030 hours. Venue:Rocky Creek War Memorial ParkNasho Shelter.)The branch celebrated NationalService Day with a service at TinarooDam on Thursday 14.02.08. A total of 16 Nashos, including 4 fromCairns, attended with their wives andpartners. Following the service we allenjoyed a very pleasant barbeque, afew drinks and a lot of talk. We werefortunate to have reasonable weather. Several members of the Branchtravelled to Cairns on Sunday 17th tojoin with them in celebrating theirNational Service Day.

The State President, Colin Bell and his wife Carol, visited the Tablelands reviewing the accommodationand other facilities for the State Conference to be held in August 2009. The photo shows members of theBranch at Lake Tinaroo. The Branch will celebrate ANZAC Day in conjunction with the RSL at Cooktown. Any members

wishing to participate should phone John Ahlers on 4095 4424 or 0429 968 368

TOWNSVILLE (Meeting: 2nd Wednesdayeach month 1930 hours. Venue: TownsvilleRSL.)Our Annual General Meeting was held on13th February with only one change ofCommittee being the Treasurer MaurieDegiovanni who returned after 12 monthsabsence. We were honoured to have StatePresident Colin Bell at our meeting and hewas presented with a cheque for $1,500 byTreasurer Peter Wyatt. Money raisedthrough a sausage sizzle at Bunnings on the20th January for the Wacol Heritage

Precinct. Our first function was at our NationalServicemen’s Memorial at Rowes Bay Parkoverlooking Cleveland Bay. The Colour Partythis year was led by Joe Wallace. After theservice some 125 members, Wives andrepresentatives from other organisations satdown to an excellent lunch and entertainment atthe Townsville RSL. Entertainment providedby Ben Hobson on Guitar, Lorraine Hegarty onkeyboard and George Morgan on Drums. Onceagain we were honoured by the presence of ourState President Colin and Carol Bell at theservice and lunch. During the lunch, PresidentWarren presented two Bursary Awards OF $500each to Jayden Reid and Eloise Moore whotravelled from Brisbane to accept her Award.

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GLADSTONE (Meeting: 3rd Wednesday eachmonth 1300 hours. Venue: RG Hotel)Our members showed their support by an almost100% turnout at Remembrance Day last year, theywere resplendent in our uniform of which we areproud to wear. Our new flag poles had their firstouting and the banner was prominent. Later weenjoyed along with our wives a light luncheon heldat 42 RQR in Palm Drive. End of year is usuallymarked by having a dinner, this time it was held atthe Golf Club with 31 members turning up on theevening. Our Patron was present and donated somegifts which we turned into prizes for raffles. Thebranch donated the 2 main prizes; a quietbut enjoyable evening was had byall.(Apologies to Gladstone Branch - thedisc thought to be of the photos ofcomputers presented by Gladstone Branchturned out to be the wrong one.... AllenCallaghan)

GOLD COAST NORTH (Meeting: 1st Wednesday of each even month at Southport RSL Club.)It’s that time of year again and our AGM was held on Wednesday 20th February at the Southport RSL as usual.There was a changing of the guard. Our New President is Ted Cooke, our new Secretary, is Howard Menz, and ournew Treasurer is John Merritt. Other positions remained with the blokes from last year. Congratulations go to all those who have put their hands up and those who continue to support the Branch, in theirhard work from selling Raffle Tickets to the Sausage sizzle. Our ladies, SPOONS, had their AGM also on Thursday,21st and Jeanie Walsh is the new President, with Shirley Perrott Secretary, and Sylvia Handke Treasurer If you arewondering what SPOONS stands for it is, Special Partners Of Old National Servicemen. We can’t speak morehighly of these ladies, we really can’t imagine what we would do without them. Keep up the good work girls. Oneof our members Peter Griffiths has a large tourist boat and we will have the pleasure of cruising the Broadwater onWednesday 19th March as his guests, Thank you, mate for your fabulous gesture. The Beaudesert Nashos and wivesare also coming on the cruise and hopefully some of us will get to their “Beaudesert Bash” on the 2nd May, as areciprocal visit. Gold Coast North Branch would like to encourage other Branches to come to the Gold Coast tovisit us, give us a call. On 22nd May 2008, The Gold Coast North Branch Nashos journey into the outback on the“Great Corner Country” trip. Train to Charleville and then bus for 12 days to most of the western towns ofQueensland, including Birdsville, Cunnamulla, Thargomindah, Winton etc. We go into South Australia toInnamincka, and Cameron`s Corner, finishing the bus leg at Longreach, and then coming home by rail. This isanother SPOONS, initiative.

GYMPIE (2nd. Sunday, bi-monthly,time and place notified.) Seven members attended the first meeting of the year on Feb10th. at R.S.L. Also attending were four supportmembers. The AGM is on April 13th. at the R.S.L.. All members are requested to attend. Four members and theirsupporters attended the Murgon Memorial weekend held on 1st & 2nd. March. Two members and their wiveattended the Saturday festivals and reported having a great time at the dance on Saturday night.The others with theirwives travelled up on the Sunday to attend March and service of remembrance. Thanks to South Burnett Branch

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Aren’t computers wonderful.

Any five year old can tell you what to do on theseelectronic marvels that have revolutionised theworld.

So you’ve taken the plunge and mastered at leastthe rudiments of computing and can format andsave a document, download and send emails,store phone numbers and other essential data andfile family photos..

They are wonderful machines and the Internet isa wondrous place but like any machine sooner orlater they will break down and most likely wipeout all that irreplaceable data and your programsas well. The answer is an external hard-drive toback up all your essential data. They’re notrocket science – I’ve got one as a result of mycomputer crashing last year.

You simply buy it, plug it in to your computerwith a USB cable and the power lead into apowerpoint or board. It appears on your desktopas Drive G or H or something similar and youtreat it like any other drive. You also should get aprogram that nags you every so often to backupyour essential data. I’ve got Acronis and it’s veryeasy to use.

You can buy very compact external hard drives atany of the major computer retailers –Officeworks, Harvey Norman, Dick Smith, BigW and they will cost you about $160 for 300 to500 gigabytes when on sales special.

Maxtor, Seagate and Western Digital are reliablebrands. All computer hard drives are guaranteedfor only about two years; you must backupessential data and you must do it regularly. Thealternative is a crash course in computercatastrophes.

CRASH COURSE

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DOUBLE NASHO TROUBLE

Lou Fornasier is a Nasho who nearly did his National Service in two different countries.

The first was in the 1st intake in 1958 in the 11th National Service Training Battalion at Wacol.

The second was in the Italian Army in 1965.

Lou arrived in Australia with his parents in 1949 as a migrant from Italy aged 10.

Seven years later he became a naturalised Australian – and his number promptly came up in the ballot in1957 for National Service. In Wacol, 1/727343 Private Fornaiser was allocated to 17 Platoon, D Companywhich was a mixture of armour, ordinance and artillery trainees. In the CMF he became a member of the2/14th Queensland Mounted Infantry, which meant armoured vehicles and anti-tank weapons such as the120mm (4.7in) BAT or Battalion Anti-Tank Gun. A 50th reunion of the 1st Intake 1958 is planned forNovember.

In 1965, Lou got married and took his bride on their honeymoon to Europe to visit his grandparents wholived in his home town near the Austrian border. As is required in most European countries he left theirpassports at the hotel desk, where they are inspected by the local police. The Police returned nextmorning and he had to report to the Police station where he found he had been listed as a deserter fromNational Service in the Italian Army.

He had left the country on his mother’s passport and his grandparents had simply thrown away his call-up papers.

CAIRNS (Meeting: 2nd Thursday each month 1815 hours. Venue: Cairns RSL.)Innisfail team of Terrie, Gail and Phil blitzed the opposition by winning the inaugural Ted Herbert BowlsTrophy played at Babinda last month. Congratulations team! Some 40 members and supportersjourneyed to that centre with 30 members participating in the successful day’s activities. The very warmconditions did not detract from the highly competitive and friendly spirit displayed by teams fromInnisfail, Babinda, Tablelands and Cairns Branches. All those involved would like to extend theirappreciation to the Babinda Bowls Club for staging the event and for catering our BBQ lunch. Specialthanks to Jenny, the drawmaster, to Phil, the organiser and Brian the bus driver. A great days outing wasenjoyed by all. Tablelands Branch Padre Captain Jeff Bush addresses the combined branch gathering atthe National Servicemen’s day service held at the picturesque Tinaroo Dam foreshore on 14th February.With light misty showers falling, Captain Bush reminded those present of the aftermath of the VietnamWar with many still suffering health, home and personal problems. The days proceedings included, flagraising, minutes silence and the playing of the “Last Post”. After presentation of roses to all, Branchespaid their respects by the “laying of roses” at the flag base. Members departed following a BBQ lunch.Due to inclement weather, this years Nasho Day held on February 17 was commemorated in-doors at theCairns RSL. State President Colin Bell addressed those present. Following the wreath laying, blessingand dedication duties were carried out by Branch Padre Rev. Ian Thomsom. Guests were treated to lightrefreshments after proceedings. At the AGM held 14th February, the following officers were elected:President – Fred Cave, Vice-President – Allen Dean, Secretary – Shane Davies, Treasurer – Brian Smith,Committee – Pat Galway, Ted Davies, Bruce Humphreys, John Wallwork, Merv Hynes, Rev. IanThomson. President Fred read his annual report and then tabled it at the meeting. Thanks to our SMCrepresentative John Hardy for his scrutinising.

CORAL COAST (Meeting: 2nd Sunday each month 0930 hours. Venue: Bowen RSL.)Prior to our first meeting ofthe year, 29 members,supporters and childrenmet on a very wet night forthe first social dinner of theyear at the Dennison Hoteland all enjoyed the eveningout. Our first meeting ofthe year was held on 10thFebruary and was wellattended especially as itwas pouring rain. One ofour many downpours of themonth. President Andy onbehalf of the Executivepresented to six of oursupporters Certificates ofAppreciation and smallgifts for the continuoussupport given to the BranchAdministration togetherwith fund raising and socialactivities. Following themonthly meeting the AGM, presentation of reports, financial statement and election of officers was held.No surprises there at all. The entire Executive was re-elected unopposed. As I said, we have had a verywet and windy month and the ceremony to be held on Nasho Day on 14th at Mullers Lagoon was insteadheld indoors at the RSL, Cunningham Villas with a service led by our Padre Alf Dixon. Despite themiserable weather conditions on the day there was a good attendance of both members and supportersthere to remember those Nashos who gave their lives in the service of their country. Secretary RodSanderson gave a brief address to those gathered.

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Lou fronted the Military Police and underwent a physical examination. He then appeared before aMagistrate who listened to his story, asked if he intended to stay in Italy and then granted him enoughtime to leave the country. Which Lou promptly did, given that Italian National Service was for two years.

His problem was common to many European countries including Greece, Turkey and Lebanon who didnot recognise Australian naturalisation and young men who returned were often forced to undertakeNational Service.

Italy ended conscription in October 2000.

The 2/14th Mounted Infantry is one of Australia’s oldest units and pre-dates Federation. It was formed asthe Brisbane Mounted Rifles in 1860, only one year after Queensland became a State. The unit was thefirst to be sent overseas and fought in the Boer War where two of its members became the first Australianskilled in action.

It had changing names and fortunes but during World War One, became part of the Light Horse and tookpart in the famous capture of the water wells from the Turks at Beersheba in Palestine – regarded as theworld’s last great cavalry charge.

When muscle-power replaces machinery – 12 QMI members manhandle this BAT into position.

In World War two it became an armoured and anti-tank unit. Most of its Nasho members trained in theanti-tank role using 6 and then 17 pounder guns succeeded by the Battalion Anti-Tank Gun or BAT..

The unit was equipped with a variety of armoured vehicles including the Staghound, Ferrett and Saracenarmoured scout cars. In Vietnam, it was again a cavalry unit manning Armoured Personnel Carriers.

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BRISBANE SOUTH (Meeting: Last Sunday each month 1030 hours. Venue: Sunnybank Bowls Club)Our AGM was held on Saturday 24, with the existing Committee, except for the Vice-President being unopposed.Tony Steveson did not nominate for V.P. due to his workload at State Head Office, but we are working on him. LexGoodwin accepted the only vacant position on the committee. Welcome Lex. Many thanks to our supporter ladies,in particular, Janet Josey & Jill McFadzen, for providing lunch after the AGM. Well done. Sellers are still urgentlyrequired to man our outlets for ANZAC Day badge sales, mainly in the Brown Plains and Kuraby area. ContactDon Weimer – 3349 1472 for a suitable time and location. Our mid-year social is currently under consideration. Asa full bus load is necessary to keep costs to a minimum, members are requested to nominate which of the followingwould be supported – Christmas in July lunch with all the trimmings at St.Bernards Hotel – Tamborine Mountainsor A wine tasting at Cedar Creek winery with a 2 course lunch and tour of the winery. Contact a committeemember prior to May 7th relative to your preference.

BUNDABERG (Meeting: 2nd Saturday each month 1330 hours. Venue: Bundaberg RSL)There was no general meeting scheduled for Januarybut a number of “hard cases” still fronted the bar atthe RSL for what can only be described as aninformal meeting. Our last bulletin advised of ourplans for Nasho Day on 14th February which was tobe in the form of a Ceremonial Parade followed by aBarbecue at Baldwin Swamp. Unfortunately, due tothe inclement weather there was a last minutedecision to cancel that activity. The AGM was heldon Saturday 8th March with a good roll up of about30 members, but it was very disappointing thatnobody from the State Executive could see fit tomake an appearance. Also in attendance wererepresentatives from Bundaberg Leukaemia and

Prostate Support Groups, (beneficiaries of partproceeds of our Annual Christmas Raffle) whoexpressed their gratitude for our continued support.The election of officers resulted in the sameExecutive and Committee being reinstated with theonly change being the addition of Vince Urquhartreplacing Roy Hardwick who wished to take a breakfor a year. The Branch was proud to receive theState Award for the best increase in membership forthe year and a review of meeting attendancesrevealed an average of 24 per meeting which is veryencouraging for the next twelve months.

CABOOLTURE (Meeting: 3rd Tuesday each month 1930 hours. Venue: Caboolture Seniors Building.)At our meeting in February cheques were presented to the value of $500 to each of the following: Geoff Murray –Treasurer, Julianne Mapp – Wamuran State School, Noel Gottwaltz – Legacy, Jan Rutherford – RSL Care, PresidentJohn Osbourne and Secretary Alec Nunn. (Photo unsuitable for print). At a later date Tullawong School OrchestraBand will be presented with theirs. Unfurling of the Navy Ensign was well attended by 24 of our members. A BBQpicnic was held in the park being the first of the year. With 33 attending under cool blue skies. The SWONS haveprepared a coach load of Nashos and partners to visit the Outback Spectacular Show being held on Easter Saturday22/3/08 at the Gold Coast. Capacity of the coach is 46 and is booked to capacity for the show. Welfare as usual hasselling of memorabilia under control for ANZAC sales. This Branch has Nasho Wallets for sale - $31.50 includingpostage. Address; Secretary, P.O. Box 674, Caboolture 4510.

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At left, Red, Yellow or anyother variety of Peril feels thefull fury of our fiercesomefighting forces in Wacol

Now in Iraq and Afghanistan,the 2/14th QueenslandMounted Infantry operatesASLAVS – eight wheeled lightarmoured fighting vehicles.

And the emu on the regimentalbadge, worn with cropped emufeathers?

The unit served in westernQueensland during theshearer’s strike of 1891and toprove their horsemanshipplucked feathers from emus atfull gallop. They were allowedto keep them and later theywere worn by the Light HorseRegiments. Today, the feathers

are worn cropped on a beret – as one old hand remarked, ‘a slouch hat is no bloody use in an armouredvehicle’. The slouch hat with full plumes is worn on ceremonial occasions.

Three ASLAVs of the 2/14th QME lined up in William Street on Anzac Day

BEENLEIGH-LOGAN (Meeting: 4th Monday every month 1030 hours. Venue: Beenleigh RSL.)

The Branch Members AGM was held 25th FEB at the BeenleighRSL. Under the Chairmanship of State Member, Tony Stephensonreappointed the current Committee members for a full term. Inattendance were two Complimentary Members accepting appointments. Both having long militaryCareers and association with the National Serviceman Association. Chaplain - Charles Wellings, andPatron - Colonel Stanley John Maizey 5 RAR Ret’dCommittee L to R Barrie Smith – Secretary, Terry Green – Committee, Bob Cotter – President, RaymonRose – Vice-President, Kevin Egan – Treasurer, Keith Riches Committee, and yes he’s kneeling RayBennett – Merchandising Manager.

BRISBANE NORTH (Meeting: 1st Sunday each month 1000 hours. Venue: Kedron Wavell Services Club)At our Christmas function, which was hailed as a tremendous success, President Allan Claytonannounced a Special Award to Faye Sparkes for her service to the branch in supplying Craft work forraffle prizes over many years. The award was presented at the February meeting. The first meeting for2008 had 49 members in attendance. Peter Cowan was guest speaker and gave a very interesting talk onhis rise from nasho in the third intake 56, regular army in 58 and service in Malaya with 1 RAR through

to the Australian Trainingteam in Vietnam. Heachieved the rank of Majorand retired in 88. Petercurrently works in thecommunity and is involved inspreading the word of theHistory of the AustralianDefence Force to schools.Brisbane North will look intothis as a possible futureproject. The Supporters havesome excellent functions inthe planning stages. Withnumbers increasing and theAGM in March BrisbaneNorth is looking for a goodyear ahead.

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THE MIGHTY MUSTANG

In the roll call of Allied aircraft that made the difference in the skies over Britain and Europeduring World War Two, the P-51 Mustang stands proudly.

Like the Spitfire, Hurricane, Mosquito, Wellington, Lancaster, , Sunderland flying boat, Flying Fortress,and B-29 it made the difference in its theatre. It was well known to RAAF Nashos because it was inservice in the 1950s until replaced by the first generations of jets such as the Canberra, Meteor andSabres.

The Mustang’s main value was that it could escort the Allied bombers all the way into Germany and back.Before then fighters had a range early in the war of only about 250 miles so that beyond that the bomberswere on their own and suffered crippling losses.

By October, 1940, this new plane, then called the NA-73 was ready to fly. With a combination of a 425gallon fuel tank and an engine that used about half as much fuel as other fighters, the P-51B had a rangeof 1080 miles. With drop-tanks attached to the wings this range was more than doubled to 2600 miles.On top of the added range, the P-51 was superior in performance to propeller-driven Luftwaffe fighters,particularly in speed.

From their first long-range missions accompanying bombers in January 1944, the P-51 Mustangs tippedthe balance of the air war over Europe in favour of the Allies. From then on, the German fighter aircraftwere on the defensive. In addition to protecting the bombers at high altitudes, the P-51 Mustangs weregiven the added assignment of destroying the Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground along with their supportfacilities during low altitude strafing missions. They were used in this role by the RAAF during theKorean war by No.77 squadron.

BAYSIDE (Meeting: 3rd Tuesday each month 1900 hours. Venue: Manly-Lota RSL.)A Bayside mother has beenpresented with her son’s medals 39years after he died on active servicein Vietnam. 1734754 Private Ian Kingston waskilled on 3 September 1969 while amember of the 6th Battalion, RoyalAustralian Regiment. Bayside Branch found his mother hadnever been issued with his medals andarranged to get them and have themmounted. The Federal Member for Bonner,Kerry Rea MP (3rd from right)presented them on behalf of theBranch and the Australia Governmentin a ceremony at the Wynnum RSL

Club. Three other Bayside National Servicemen also died in Vietnam. Bayside Branch has called quotesfor the erection of a memorial to them and to the 287,000 Nashos who were called up between 1951 and1972.

BEAUDESERT (Meeting: 1st Monday even numbered months 1030 hours. Venue: Beaudesert RSL.)Our branch held its AGM on 4th February withabout 60 members & supporters attending & 18apologies. After the reports the Beaudesert RSLSub-branch President, Errol Guilfoyle conductedelections for the 2008 Committee. RussellHartley was elected as President, Roy Turner, asV/President, Doug Eisentrager, as Secretary,Brian Quinn, as Treasurer, Ian McDougall, asMembership & Publicity Officer, Phil Johns,Merchandise Officer. There were also 4 otherCommittee members elected. The photo of the2008 Committee was taken after the election wascompleted. Our branch was well represented at

the National Service Day service at Wacol and those who attended enjoyed the day. By the time this isprinted a bus load of our members will have enjoyed a day cruising the Broadwater as guests of GoldCoast North Branch. Don’t forget that our branch is hosting the NSAA State Reunion over the Labor Daylong weekend. Note: one of the highlights will be a performance by “The Australian Army Band”. Wehope to see many of you at the Reunion.

BRANCH NEWSEdited by Fred Petersen

Under the Privacy Act, details including birthdays, illnessand hospitalisation cannot be included in Branch News

without the person’s consent.

Closing date next issue is Friday 9th May/folding date 30th May